Thursday, July 30, 2015

No one believes in you as a writer. Not until you hit it big time in the literary lottery it seems. You are just out there on your own, in your own little world, your own little insanity castle writing your fantastical shit. Most people you talk to wonder where do you pull this weirdness from, and why you feel the need to spill it all out on the blank page, perhaps pursue publication of it, maybe hope to make a little bit of a dime or two from it, maybe get a good review (justifying your insanity) or even a bad review (perhaps giving you a lessons learned on how to improve your craft).

But again, no one gives a shit that you are a writer. (Well, except possibly your other writer kin.)

But you know, I don't give a shit about those who do not see me as a writer, as a viable writer, as a bread-earner writer. If I was doing it all purely for cash and fame, I'd be saying fuck everyone and going off and living in my own little cave, by my own fucking little self, and writing and writing and writing...and probably playing Minecraft now and again.

But I don't roll that way. Being without peeps in life cuts part of your writer off from hearing stories and ideas of others who don't write like you do. You can have experiences by yourself, but a whole lot more when you drop and keep yourself SOCIAL.

But I'm not feeling so social because no one believes in me as a writer.

Unless I strike that literary pot of gold, make the NY Times Bestseller list, JJ Abrams and Michael Bay come running after me for film rights, and all that.

THEN, oh yeah ya bastards, then I'm a writer, baby.

....

....

Fuck that and fuck you naysayers.

I am a gourd-darn writer. Been doing it for years. Been doing it since I could pick up a pencil and put it to lined paper and spill my boiling brain down upon it.

This writing thing, it's always been part of me. It is part of what makes me, me, and what makes me the somewhat crazy, fun loving, fun natured, foolish and caring person I am. It has made me open my eyes to the world around me, absorb it, enjoy it. It has made me happy to be alive, to have a great wife, great kids (they actually believe in me...my oldest likes to go out for lone bike rides with me to find out what is on my writing docket) and step outside in the morning, even when having to go to the DAY JOB.

It's a strange stress to have a writer in the family, I am sure of it. But, ya know, this is a safe pastime, somewhat inexpensive pastime (I am making money on some of this, not gobs, but have to spend some to get myself out there, to be noticed). Better than going out with the guys and getting drunk and getting into trouble.

Anyway...

You're not a writer.

Fuck that.

You are a writer.

You are a writer. Believe in yourself in that, and write on.

#

Peter Welmerink writes shit, cool shit, Viking berserker shit and Post-Apocalyptic kick ass Military shit...and also some cool action-adventure shit based in the state and area he loves: West Michigan.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

“I recalled some sage I once received from two friends, Seraphim. They confirmed that the old saying was true. If you ever want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.”

For Brecken Everett, there's never a dull moment. When he's not dealing with a demanding course load and honing his magic as top student at Lightmage University, he’s working as a private investigator and using his skills to protect the innocent from the darkest forces. In two action-packed adventures, Breck demonstrates that outnumbered and outgunned is when he’s at his best.

In Keepers, Brecken is enlisted to aid Jacob and Joshua Phoenix; twins, the last Pyrians, the last of an ancient race. The Brothers Phoenix are on a quest to uncover clues to their past. When they find a lost relic, a pair of demons claim it. With Brecken’s aid, the twins are determined to not only stop the threat, but have some fun in the process.

West of Sunset takes place a year after Keepers. Brecken wants to do was get out of Atlanta. Heading to Los Angeles with his best friend he plan a vacation of surf, sun, partying and relaxation until the boys stumble upon a museum heist connected to a biker gang of vampires with plans to raise a most dark power. Matters get even more complicated with the involvement of a mysterious and powerful witch.

Witches, museum heists, arising malevolent forces, vampire biker gangs, even Brecken’s vacations are another day at the office.

#

FIVE THINGS LEARNED WRITING WEST OF SUNSET

1) Between interviews, guest posts, and essays, I’ve written more words promoting West of Sunset than I did writing the actual book. Not a complaint mind you, just fascinating.

2) Contrary to what is preached, people do in fact judge a book by its cover. Second to the prose, it is the most important element of your book.

Welmerink note: Agree 100%. If the book cover and back cover blurb don't grab'em...

3) Speculative Fiction continues to be hostile territory for minority writers and our narratives. #WeNeedDiverseBooks. We also need to do much better.

4) Always keep a print copy of your novel on you. Otherwise no one will believe that you are a legit published author. Half the time they still don’t believe it when they’re holding your book in their hands.

5) There are generally two types of artists in the world. Those who want to be known as a great artist and those who simply want to produce the best work they can possibly produce. The latter tends to become the former.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dennis R. Upkins was born in Nashville, Tn. A voracious reader, a lifelong geek and a hopeless comic book addict, he knew at an early age that storytelling was his calling. Earning an academic scholarship, Upkins graduated from the University of TN at Chattanooga with a BA in English. After working as a reporter for a local newspaper for a few years, he moved from Tennesssee and relocated to Atlanta, GA where he procured a BFA in media arts & animation from the Art Institute of Atlanta.

His audio short, Stranger Than Fiction, was featured on Sniplits. In 2011, his debut novel, Hollowstone, was released by Parker Publishing. In addition to writing, Upkins has worked as a freelance artist and a digital photographer. Upkins regularly analyzes and critiques the representation and portrayals of minorities in comic books, television, movies, and other media and has served as a regular contributor to websites such as Ars Marginal, Prism Comics, and Nashville Geek Life. In an effort to help educate the public about the cultures of the African diaspora and promote a more accurate and positive image, Upkins launched the Black Folks Being Awesome initiative on Facebook. When he’s not out saving the world and/or taking it over in his spare time, Upkins enjoys drawing, modeling, cosplaying, acting, photography rollerblading, martial arts, and of course writing.

About Me

I am a family man first. And spend a bit of time penning tales of sword & sorcery, or big, shootem' up pseudo-military fiction based in and around my old hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan...and even, on occasion, get and have gotten written pieces published.

I enjoy bourbon whiskey, model railroading, reading in the genres in which I write (and sometimes stepping outside those genres) and breathing and staying on this side of the dirt for now.